The Bighead, The Movie – Oh no they didin’t!

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this “this project has been funded” on kickstarter, referring to Edward Lee’s seminal splatterfest, The Bighead. What sicko’s would actually want to see that perverse, degrading, gross, atrocious, blood spattered book ever made into a film…….well me for one. I read the book, threw up, read it again some months later, blogged about it, threw up again and decided I enjoyed the book immensely. If you haven’t read The Bighead (must have a strong stomach) I suggest you do, it is the literary equivalent of A Serbian Film and The Human Centipede combined and on crystal meth. Here’s a link to a short write up I did on the book Wurd: The Bighead. Anyway (excuse my frothing at the mouth) a short film has concluded filming and is set to be premiered in Los Angeles on Saturday March 30, 2013 at 7:00 PM at the Acme Theater in Hollywood. Check out the trailer and all the juicy details below.

The Bighead Film Info

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Based on Edward Lee’s seminal and wildly controversial 2003 novel, “EDWARD LEE’S THE BIGHEAD” directed by Michael Ling is set in the West Virginian backwoods where vicious monsters, both human and supernatural, go on a terrifying rampage in search of a special young woman. Their path of destruction uncovers long held secrets and puts the fate of the entire world in jeopardy. The short film stars Raquel Cantu as the untamable sexpot Jerrica, Carrie Malabre as the shy Charity, Orson Chaplin as the demented psychopath Tritt “Balls” Connor, and Lance Trezona as Tritt’s dim-witted accomplice Dicky. Also starring are Ashley Totin as the prostitute Rosie, Michael Coons as conflicted priest Father Tom, P.D. Miller as the bartender Frank, and Kelsey Tipton as the Bighead’s first victim Wendy. The frightening Bighead monster itself is played by Cheetah Platt. Award-winning director of photography Fady Hadid shot the film from writer/director Michael Ling’s script. Geoff Skinner and Donald Wygal, Jr. produced.
Official Site: thebigheadmovie.com
Kickstarter Page: The Bighead on Kickstarter
Facecrack: The Bighead Movie Page

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LOS ANGELES MOVIE PREMIERE
Edward Lee’s The Bighead, the highly anticipated short film based on the cult classic book, will premiere in Los Angeles on Saturday March 30, 2013 at 7:00 PM at the Acme Theater in Hollywood.
135 N La Brea Ave (between Beverly and First)
Los Angeles, CA 90036

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The Bighead Trailer

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Edward Lee’s The Bighead: TRAILER from Michael Ling on Vimeo.

 

Leprechaun – A St. Patty’s Day Disaster

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Saint Patrick’s Day or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”) is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church and Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrating the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks.

Blah, blah, blah…for me and most people I know St. Patricks day is about one thing and one thing only; getting absolutely stinking drunk! While I have adhered to this tradition of excessive alcohol consumption for most, if not all of my adult years, I decided to stray a little this year. Irish themed horror! What better way to celebrate St Patricks day! My original choices for Irish horror were Shrooms (which was a great psychological drugged out horror-fest), Isolation (not a bad genetic experiment type horror flick) and Wakewood (which I have yet to see), all horror flicks from the emerald Isle. Something went sideways and I ended up settled on the Leprechaun saga. Yep all 6 films back to back, a great Irish themed horror marathon. That was the plan; 12 hours of bloody Leprechaun madness. Things didn’t go exactly as planned.

Don’t Go In The Woods (Don’t Watch This Movie)

Dont Go In The Woods. 2010

A young band heads to the woods in order to focus on writing new songs. Hoping to emerge with new music that will score them their big break, they instead find themselves in the middle of a nightmare beyond comprehension.
“Making a hit can be a killer……”
Director: Vincent D’Onofrio
Writers: Sam Bisbee (screenplay), Vincent D’Onofrio (story)
Stars: Bo Boddie, Eric Bogosian, Gwynn Galitzer
Runtime: 83 min

Holy shit! I’d thought I’d seen it all. Every blood soaked, gore filled, poorly executed, crappy acted, horribly directed, plot holed, budget strapped, shitty movie put out in the last couple a years. I was wrong. Horribly wrong. I read the crackflix synopsis, pretty much told me that a bunch of teens head into the woods and run afoul of a sledgehammer weilding maniac! Perfect, sounds like a nice slasher set up to me. Directed by Vincet D’Onofrio, he’s got some star power, Don’t Go In The Woods should be alright I thought. Well the film turns out to be a freaking musical slasher. Therein the problem lies; I love slashers, but I hate musicals. The combination is (in this case anyway) absolutely terrible.

Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines

Wrong Turn 5

Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines is a 2012 American horror film and the fifth installment in the Wrong Turn film series that began with Wrong Turn and was followed by Wrong Turn 2: Dead End, Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead and Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings.
Release date: October 18, 2012 (initial release)
Director: Declan O’Brien
DVD release date: October 23, 2012
Running time: 87 minutes
Screenplay: Declan O’Brien
Cast: Doug Bradley, Roxanne McKee, Camilla Arfwedson, Oliver Hoare, Borislav Iliev, Peter Brooke
Wiki

Honestly the last few flicks in the Wrong Turn franchise have been going down hill fast; the lesbians in #4 were pretty much the only saving grace in the last flick. Needless to say I wasn’t to enthusiastic about the release of Wrong Turn 5 having given up hope on the series. I rented it anyway not hoping for much. Wrong Turn 5 was a bit of a reversal in the downward trend of the last 3 films; now it isn’t going to be up for an Oscar anytime soon but the flick does have its decent moments. Wrong Turn 5 starts off in West Virginia where a group of hapless teens (of-course) are on their way to a music festival near a small backwoods town. As is the case in almost every slasher/inbred/cannibal/hillbilly flick, the teens stray off the course and stumble across said maniacs and bloody mayhem ensues. Ya!

Texas Chainsaw 3D

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D. 2013.

A young woman travels to Texas to collect an inheritance; little does she know that an encounter with a chainsaw-wielding killer is part of the reward.  (IMDb)

The long awaited sequel to the 74 classic Tobe Hooper bloodbath has opened this weekend.  I was unfortunate enough to miss the opening night due to some unforseen circumstances but will be catching the next showing  tonight.  I will be honest I have been itching badly for a good TCM flick since 2006’s Texas Chainsaw the beginning.  God I love a villain who chops up victims terribly and uses their skin for masks, don’t you.  We have had scary leatherface’s, fat leatherfaces (TCMNG), and an awkwardly horny leatherface (TCM3);  I loved em all, so I’m hoping relatively skinny leatherface in TCM3D will be just as loveable and horrendously vicious. In the meantime here a few early reviews and thoughts on the film and some TCM nostalgia to keep you (actually me) occupied until later today.

Rites of Spring

Rites of Spring. 2011.

A ransom scheme turns into a nightmare for a group of kidnappers who become victims of a horrifying secret that must be paid every spring.
Director: Padraig Reynolds
Writer: Padraig Reynolds (screenplay)
Stars: Sonny Marinelli, Katherine Randolph and Anessa Ramsey

One part kidnapping ransom flick mixed with one part inbred farmers malformed creature(ish) son mixed with copious amounts of confused and directionless storytelling equals one big mess! An interesting mess. I do like crime films and I do like inbred monster films and I guess I would like both together I’m just not sure if I liked Rites of Spring.  I like rural settings a-la TCM where you get rusted old tractors laying about, dilapidated old barns slowly decaying in the scorching sun and eery looking corn fields long past ripe so I will assume that’s what kept me watching this film long past my loss of interest.  Mind you I was battling the flu when viewing this film and was hopped up on some pretty good meds….so my incoherent and spotty memory of Rites of Spring might have something to do with the confusion I experienced throughout.  I actually shouldn’t be posting about this film without a sober and clear re-viewing.  I’ll let this guy tell it all. Rites of Spring Review by Chris Pandolfi. Anyway check out Rites of Spring @ IMDb.

The Burning

The Burning. 1981.

The Burning is a 1981 slasher film directed by Tony Maylam, with music by Rick Wakeman. It tells the story of a cruel, alcoholic, sadistic caretaker at a summer camp (nicknamed “Cropsy” and based on the urban legend of Cropsey) who falls victim to a prank that went out of control which leaves him horribly burned and disfigured. Following his release from hospital, he returns to his old stomping ground and begins a murder spree. The film was one of the first from Miramax Films: Harvey Weinstein produced the film and Bob Weinstein was a co-writer. Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens and Oscar winner Holly Hunter all made their motion picture debuts in this film. (Wiki)

Release date: May 8, 1981 (initial release)
Director: Tony Maylam
DVD release date: September 11, 2007
Running time: 91 minutes
Screenplay: Tony Maylam, Harvey Weinstein

The Burning is a must see film for any fan of 80’s slashers. A maniac stalking the woods of a remote summer camp seeking vengence upon sex crazed half naked teens sounds all to familiar doesn’t it? While The Burning is a blatant rip off of Friday the 13th, who cares? It is a decent film in it’s own right. A cast of likable characters, tons of blood (by none other than Tom Savini) and a horribly disfigured villain. What’s not to like. Add in some 80’s synth (yeah!), full frontal female nudity, some gory deaths and a remote backwoods camp setting and you have all the right ingredients for a quintessential early 80’s slasher. While not perfect by any means, The Burning is definitely recommended viewing in my opinion. Oh ya and you get to see George Castanza with a full head of hair!! The Burning @ IMDb.

Texas Chainsaw 3D: New TV Spot

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D. 2013.

It’s getting really close to the release of the new TCM flick, January 4, and I am really stoked to see it.  Found a new TV spot for the film this morning.  Texas Chainsaw 3D is an upcoming 2013 3D slasher film directed by John Luessenhop and written by Debra Sullivan and Adam Marcus, with later drafts by Kirsten Elms and Luessenhop. It is the seventh film in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise and is a sequel to the 1974 original film, immediately picking up where it left off. Filming began on the summer of July 2011. The film will be released on January 4, 2013.

Texas Chainsaw 3D @ IMDb

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Related articles

• Texas Chainsaw 3D Stills Spread the Red Around (dreadcentral.com)
• Happy Chainsaw Year From Leatherface In New Texas Cahinsaw 3D TV Spot (thepeoplesmovies.com)
• Director John Luessenhop Carves Out Niche in “Texas Chainsaw 3D” (spinoff.comicbookresources.com)

Son of a Hundred Maniacs

Just stumbled across this little fan made work in progress prequel to a Nightmare on Elm Street. Fan Films are not usually my cup of tea (actually my can of beer if you want to be precise) but it looks like these guys are pretty dedicated to the project. If your into Krueger and the Elm Street franchise check this out. Directed by Andrew Daniels with Director of Photography Ernesto Lorenzo. Son of a Hundred Maniacs on Facebook.

Next Up: another blog entry…….

A Serbian Film

A Serbian Film. 2010.

A Serbian Film (Serbian: Српски филм / Srpski film) is a 2010 Serbian horror film and the first feature film directed by Srđan Spasojević. It tells the story of a down-on-his-luck porn star who agrees to participate in an “art film”, only to discover that he has been drafted into a snuff film. (wiki)

Well I finally decided to watch the much hyped gore-fest that is A Serbian film. Was I shocked, disgusted, surprised, depressed, troubled, confused and nauseated? In a word, Yes. The film explores the seedy and soul-less underworld of the hardcore pornography industry, from a Serbian perspective. I know that sounds like a film that everyone would want to watch right? Wrong. There is a lot a of tough subject matter portrayed in the film and I think all but the most serious fans of hardcore shock horror will find it rather offensive. A Serbian Film is loaded with full frontal nudity, explicit sexual scenes, extreme gore and brutal violence. Total shock and awe! There are images contained in the flick that I don’t think I will ever forget for the rest of my life. Seriously. Watch this nasty nasty film at your own peril. You’ve been warned. More thoughts on A Serbian Film here.

Next Up: cancel my trip to Serbia

The Collection

The Collection. 2012.

The Collection is a 2012 horror film, a sequel to the 2009 film, The Collector. It stars Emma Fitzpatrick and Josh Stewart, who reprises his role as Arkin. It is written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton, directed by Dunstan, and will be released on November 30, 2012. A man who escapes from the vicious grips of the serial killer known as “The Collector” is blackmailed to rescue an innocent girl from the killer’s booby-trapped warehouse. IMDb. The Collection is a sequel to the 2009 film The Collector.

Looks pretty good, I really enjoyed the first installment….The Collector.

Next Up: I don’t know anymore…..

Tucker and Dale vs Evil

Tucker and Dale vs Evil. 2010.

Tucker & Dale vs Evil is a 2010 Canadian-American comedy horror film written and directed by Eli Craig. The film stars Alan Tudyk, Tyler Labine and Katrina Bowden.
Release date: January 22, 2010 (initial release)
Director: Eli Craig
DVD release date: November 29, 2011
Running time: 89 minutes
Screenplay: Eli Craig, Morgan Jurgenson

A group of college students, including Allison (Katrina Bowden), Chad (Jesse Moss), Chloe (Chelan Simmons), Chuck (Travis Nelson), Jason (Brandon Jay McLaren), Naomi (Christie Laing), Todd (Alex Arsenault), Mitch (Adam Beauchesne) and Mike (Joseph Allan Sutherland), are going camping in West Virginia. While at a gas station, they encounter Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) two well-meaning hillbillies who have just bought the vacation home of their dreams: a run-down lakefront cabin in the middle of the woods. (Wiki)

Tucker and Dale vs Evil is an absolutely hilarious take on the classic backwoods slasher subgenre. Im not generally a horror-comedy fan but this works astonishingly well. A group of teens stumble across the two inept hillbillies and a series of misunderstandings and role reversals ensue with bloody consequences. This is definitely a must watch on Netflix. Tucker and Dale @ IMDB

Maniac (2012)

IFC Midnight has acquired all North American rights to director Franck Khalfoun’s remake of the 1980 chiller “Maniac,” starring Elijah Wood.

Wood takes on the role of Frank, a withdrawn mannequin-store owner whose obsession with a young female artist unleashes long-buried murderous tendencies. “High Tension” screenwriters Alexandre Aja and Gregory Levasseur wrote the screenplay for the film, which first screened out of competition at Cannes. Courtesy of Indiewire

Maniac. 2012.

I for one am very excited for this, hopefully it will be faithful to the original 80’s pyscho sleazefest. Can Frodo top Joe Spinell? We’ll see. If you haven’t seen the original do it and do it now it’s a bloody mess!

Nine Dead

Nine Dead. 2010.

Nine Dead is a 2009 horror thriller film, directed by Chris Shadley, produced by Paula Hart and written by Patrick Wehe Mahoney. Filming began on July 6, 2008 and ended on July 27, 2008.
Release date: March 9, 2010 (initial release)
Director: Chris Shadley
DVD release date: March 9, 2010
Running time: 98 minutes
Screenplay: Patrick Wehe Mahoney

After a string of kidnappings, these nine people are locked inside a room and handcuffed to pipes. Then a masked man enters and explains each of them are there for a reason, and to survive, they must figure it out. Every ten minutes they don’t the shooter will enter and kill one of them. (Wiki)

Well I wonder where that idea came from……I’m looking at you SAW. Similarities aside, I was mildly disinterested in Nine Dead throughout. I didn’t care much for any of the characters save for my pure loathing of the lead female; she really shouldn’t be an actress, really! Poor execution, a weak plot and mediocre acting made the film a bore to watch; there weren’t even any creative kills, bloody scenes or nudity to save this flick. I did like the villains mask though. Anywho watch if ya want or don’t……Nine Dead @ IMDB

Next Up: checking into rehab for my Iphone 5 addiciton….

Texas Chainsaw 3D

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D. 2013.

Texas Chainsaw 3D is an upcoming 2013 3D slasher film directed by John Luessenhop and written by Debra Sullivan and Adam Marcus, with later drafts by Kirsten Elms and Luessenhop. It is the seventh film in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise and is a sequel to the 1974 original film, immediately picking up where it left off. Filming began on the summer of July 2011. The film will be released on January 4, 2013.

Texas Chainsaw 3D @ IMDb